Railway car truck



April 10, 1945. R. L PPLA RAILWAY CAR TRUCK Filed Dc. 31, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 April l0, 1945.

R. I .EPPLA RAILWAY CAR TRUCK 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 51, 1942 INVENToR Rudolfh Leppla, BY VM VL M65? ATTORNEYS April l0, 1945. I .R LEPPLA 2,373,576

RAILWAY CAR TRUCK Filed Dec. 31, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 7 llllIl/IIIIIIllI/lIIllllIllllllI/I lll/l lll/l1 INVENToR Rudolfah Lelzpla F17. 1n n y BY I a 67 ATTORNEYS April 10, 1945.`

R.A :I EPPLA RAILWAY CAR TRUCK Fleduec. 31, ,1942 4-Sheets-,s'heet 4 springs.

Patented Apr. 10, 19415 2,373,576 RAILWAY CAR TRUCK Rudolph Leppla, Pittsburgh, Pa., assigner to McConway & Torley Corporation, Pittsburgh,` Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania v l ApplicationDecember*31, 1942, Serial No."470,788 's claims.k (C1. 10s-208.1)

This invention relatesto railway car trucks vof the type inwhich the bolster is yieldably supported from a-vertically movable cross member such as a transom which is slidably mounted at its ends in the truck side frames. i

In trucks of the transom type the transomy serves to hold the side frames in position and is ordinarily made in the form 'of a one-piecev casting, consisting of apairof spaced cross beams andA end ,portions of rectangular form which are adapted to slidably fit in the sideframe openings and which project downwardly below .the bottom of the beams for a considerable distance to provde guide members of sufficient height to hold the frames against tilting' movements with respect to the transom; 'In making such a casting it is diiiicultto preventsoxne distortion of the ends in cooling, which may cause one end portion or the other of the transom to be disposed at an anglerslightlyvless or slightly greater than 90 to the' cross beams. Such distortion of a transom casting :makesnecessary a straightening operation, which is difiicult and expensive.

The present invention has for an object to f provide a transom construction whicheliminates the above-mentioned diiiiculty, insures proper assembly of the side frames and transom, and consequently reduces the cost of producing the transom and provides` a better iit between 'thevv f transom'guide members and the side frames.

A further object of the invention is toprovide an adjustable seat between the transom andthe spring plank supporting links, whereby the in- 'clination'of the links may be adjusted.

A further object is to provide bearing blocks for the pivots of the springl plank supporting links which are detachably'mounted in the transom yso that they may -be readily replaced when Worn or otherwise damaged.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vmounting of the transom in the truckrside 'frames which ncludesa pad for cushioning "the impact of the transom upon the side frame, said mounting being designed to permit compression of the transom supporting springs to near the limit of compression of the springs and prevent the imposition of excessivel loads that wouldl cause the springs to go solidv if the cushioning 'pad should be omitted or be lost whilefthe truckis in service, whereby a pad of substantial thickness may be employed without danger of injury to the with the above and other objects in View, the

fas lillustrated in the accompanying drawings, hereinafter described and particularly set forth side frame, the transom, and-a supporting spring being bro-ken away and shown in section;A

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the'transoIn-positioning guideA membergand spring cap;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the guide member shown in Fig. 2; l g n Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan View of the truck, with a portion of the side frame broken away and shown in section;

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section, taken on theline indicated at 5-5 in Fig. 1;

Fig. Gis a section taken. on the line indicated att-6 in Fig. 5; in

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary side elevation rof one end of the transom and spring plank; Fig. ,8 is a section on the line indicated at 8--8 in Fig. 5; y y

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line indicated at 9-9 in Fig. 5; l

Fig. 10 is a section taken on the line indicated atl[i---Illin1i'ig.5;` f

Fig`-v 11 is a fragmentary side elevation, partially broken away andv shown in section, of a the line indicated at i2-I2 in'Fig. 11.

In the accompanying drawings, lone side portion only of the vtruck is illustrated, it being understood that the opposite side of the truck is identical with the side shown in the drawings. rThe truck shown in Figs. 1 lto 10 -has side I, frames A, and transom B, a bolster C, and a' spring plank D, the transom B being a cross frame member connecting the sideframes A, and

the bolster C being yieldably supportedon the rspring plank D, which is flexiblysuspended from `the transom. The truck side frames A are of a conventional freight car type, having top and bottom chords land `2, and journal boxes 3 at opposite ends of the frame to which the ends ofthe chords l and 2 are connected. In trucks of the typevto which the present invention relates the Weight of the car body supported on the truck is imposed upon the bolster, transmitted through suitable cushioning means from the bolster to the transom, and through a second .cushioning means from the transom to the side frames,

which impose the weight upon the axles received 1 in the journal boxes 3. Vertical guide columns 4 connect the top and bottom chords I and 2 and these columns are spaced apart to provide a central opening in the side frame. Each of the columns 4 has an inwardly offset guide portion 6, which maybe provided with a wear plate 1 on its inner face for engagement with the end portion of the transom A.

Across the bottom of the opening 5 the bottom chord 2 is in the form of an upwardly facing channel, which is provided with laterally extending side ilanges 8 along its upper Aedge. Centrally of the opening 5 the lower chord 2 has an integral web 9 intermediate the top and bottom ofthe channel, the web 9 providing a seat for limiting downward movement of the transom. A suitable pad II!V may be mounted on the web 9 to cushion the impact of the transom.

The transom B comprises a pair of spaced parallel cross beams II and integral end portions I2 which connect the cross beams II. The cross beams I I may have inwardly oi-set portions I3 at the ends which extend into the openings 5 of the side frames, and to which the connecting members I2 are integrally joined. The end members I2 have depending arms I4 at opposite ends thereof which are disposed at right angles to the cross beams I I. The cross beams I I, connecting members I2 and arm-s I4, are preferably tubular and of rectangular cross section joined together in a one-piece casting, the tubular arms I4 being open at their lower ends.

Adjacent the top thereof the end portion I2 of the transom is provided with laterally projecting guide lugs I5 and I6 which are adapted to straddle the projecting portions 6 of the guide columns. The lower portion of the transom end. is guided in the side frame by a guiding and positioning member I1, which is secured in adjusted position to the lower ends of the arms I4. The positioning member I1 has a depressed central portion I8, which projects into the channel of the bottom chord, and which cooperates with the lugs I5 and I6 to maintain the side frames in planes at right angles to the planes of the cross beams II.

The-depressed portion I8 is preferably of a size to enter the channel of the bottomchord and is engageable with the pad lil on the cross web' 9. Opposite ends of the member I1 are formed to pro-vide iiat spring seats I9 on the under sides thereof directly beneath the' depending arms I4. The positioning member I1 has upwardly extending end flanges 29 which engage the outer sides of the arms I4, and it is also provided withintermediate flanges 2I which engage the inner sides of the arms I4. The member I1 is also provided with horizontal side anges l22 which overlie the side flanges 8 of the bottom chord. The guide memberv I1 is rigidly secured in adjusted position `to the lower ends of the arms I 4, the necessity for tru'ng distorted transom castings is eliminated. f the transom casting is somewhat distorted, the positioning member I1 may be positioned inwardly or outwardly with respect to the centers of the arms I4, so as to bring the guidefportion IS into a position in which it is properly centered with respect to the upper guide members I5 and Iiiy The member I1 may then be welded or otherwise secured to the arms I4, so that a proper t 'is obtained between the transom and side frames regardless of any distortion in the ends of the transom. The portion I 8 of the bottom guide members slidably engage the bottom chords of the side frames ata considerable distancefbelow the guide lugs I5 and i6 so that lateral tilting of, the side frames with respect to the transom is prevented.

-The end flanges 2U also enter into the side frame channel where the Walls and anges 8 curve upwardly to connect `with columns 4.

Thus the combination of the upper guide members I5 and I6, portion I8 of the positioning member I1 as Well as the flanges 2U of the same all serve to restrainv the lateral movement between transom and side frames tending to keep the truck square laterally within close limits.

The cross Web 9 ofthe bottom chord is so positioned with respect to the side flanges 8 of the chord that when the pad Ib) is `in place on the web 9 the flanges 22 of the positioning member will be slightly above the flanges 8 when the depressed portion I8 is resting on the pad IIl. The clearance between the flanges 8 and 22 is, however, less-than the thickness of the pad it, so

that if the pad II] should be omitted or become lost the positioning member willvseat upon the flanges 22 instead of upon the web 9, the flanges 22 serving as auxiliary or safety stops to prevent the bottom springs going over solid. It is desirable to provide for compression of the springs 23 to very near their limit of compression. It is not, however, desirable to permit excessive loads to be imposed upon these springs, which would cause these springs to go solid. By limiting the downward movement ofthe transom as above explained,` the springs 23 may be subjected to very nearly their capacity load but are eifectually protected against damage by the imposition of excessive loads.

Midway between their ends the parallel cross beams I I are provided on their inner upper edges with arcuate recesses 24,which are adapted to receive a center bearing 25, which may be formed integrally on the bolster C. The recesses '.24 are so proportioned that the center bearing 25 is permitted to have a limited amount of vertical play and also a limited amount of endwise movement in the recesses so that the bolster C may have corresponding movements. The bolster C is supported at its ends upon suitable springs, such as coil springs y26, which are shown mounted between top and bottom seating plates 21 and 28 on the under side of the bolster and on the spring plank D.y The recessing of the cross beams permits the use of straight cross beams and also serves the dual purpose of providing an additional lateral limiting stop for the bolster as well as a vertical limiting stop to prevent the bolster springs from going solid. i

The springs 23 are preferably relatively soft springs of a capacity suitable' for' cushioning lightly loaded cars. The springs 26 are of a capacity to' cushion the maximum load which the car is designed to carry. With a lightly' loaded car the heavily loaded the springs 23 have only a Very Yattached to the under side thereof at each end,

and each saddle member has laterally spaced, rectangular eye or loop members 30, which are adapted to receive a pivot bar 3 I. Each pivot bar 3I has a roundedtop edge 32, which engages in concave bearings 33 on the under side of the saddle 29. The pivot bars 3i extend across the under side'of the spring plank, and the opposite, ends thereof are seated in slots 34 formed in the lower ends of suspension links 35, the bars 3| having notches 36 on the under side thereof which are of a width to receive the links 35 at the lower ends of the slots 34, so that thevbar 3l is restrained against endwise movements with respect tothe suspension links.

The links disposed on opposite sides of the.

spring plank D extend upwardly through slots '31 formed in the cross beams I I and carry trunnions or pivot members 38 at their upper ends which rest in sockets 39 formed in bearing blocks 40, which are seated in recesses 4I formed in thetops of the cross beams .II. Each bearing block 40 has a central slot 42 through which the link 35 extends. The recesses 4I are preferably substantially rectangular in form', and the blocks 4U are shapedrto fit in the recesses. Central portions of the recesses 4I preferably extend the full width of the upper faces of the cross beams I I, but adjacent the ends of the recesses 4I flanges 43 are provided on opposite sides thereof which engage in recesses onthe underside of the blocks 40 and hold the blocks against klateral movements.

The pivot-receiving recess 39 of each of lthe blocks extends across the full width of the block and is disposed nearer one end of the block than the other. Each of the blocks is reversible in its recess, so as to adjust the positions of the recesses 39 toward or away from the transom end and to therebyvary the inclination of the supporting links 35.

In Fig. '7 the blocks 40 are shown in a position reverse to that shown in Fig. 5, so that; the links 35 are disposed at an inclination. The blocks 40 are readily detachable and replaceable, and blocks may be provided with the recesses 39 at various distances from the longitudinal center of the block, so that the desired adjustment of the links may be provided, either by reversing the blocks or by substituting bearing blocks. 'I'he provision of replaceable bearing blocks is advantageous for the additional reason that they may be replaced with new blocks when worn or damaged.v

A safety bracket 44, in the form of a U-shaped strap secured at its ends to downwardly projecting integral flanges 45, formed in the cross beams I I, may be provided adjacent the spring carrying portion at each end of the spring plank D, so that in case of breakage of one of the pivot bars3l or one of the links 35 the spring plank will be caught on the bracket 44 and be prevented from falling to the track,

` positioning member` 5I In Figs. 11 yand 12 of the drawings a modined form of the invention is shown, in which the side frames are provided with vertical guide columns 46, each of which has a pair of upper, inwardly projecting guide anges 41 which receive projections 48, formed on the upper portions of the arms 49 of the transom ends. The bottom chords of the side frames have cross webs 50 beneath the ,columns 46 which serve to strengthen the frame at thevjuncture of the chords with the columns. The transom is provided with a positioning member5l, secured in adjusted position to the lower ends of thev transom arms 49, the positioning vmember having a depressed central portion 52,

whichis received within the channel of the bottom chord, and spring seating portions 53 above the'depressed portion 52 and beneath the lower ends of the arms 49. Springs 54 are interposed between ,the seating portions 53 `of the positioning member and the bottom web 55 of the bottom chord, the web 55 being provided with lugs 56 for positioning'the springs 54.

The positioning member 5I is provided with upwardly projecting flanges 51, which engage the sides of the arms 49,`and which maybe welded to the arms 49. The member 5I is also provided with depending end anges 58 which serve to p0- siti'on the springs 54. lColumns 46 are provided at their. lower ends with inwardly projecting guide flanges 59, which are arranged in pairs'and are spaced to receive the ends of the positioning member 5I.

The bottom chord is provided witha cross web 60, adapted to support a cushioning pad, and the is provided with side flanges 6I, which overlie side flanges 62 of the bottom chord. The flanges 6I and 62' and web 6B are arranged' in the same way as the` corresponding elements in the modification rstdescribed.

' The transom cross beams are provided with recesses 63 which receive reversible bearing blocks 64, provided with off-center sockets 65, to receive trunnions 66 of suspension links 61. Each pair of suspension links 61 carries a pivot bar 68, which engages with a saddle member 69 on an end of -the'spring plank 10. The linkage for suspending the spring plank from the transom is substantially the same as the linkage shown in connection with the modification-first described.

- The bolster and spring plank are provided with spring, seating members 1I and 12 which receive the top and bottom bands 13 and 14 of an elliptic spring 15, which is preferably disposed beneath the bolster and parallell therewith, the outer end in the cost of manufacture.

The provision of auxiliary stops in connection with the cushioning pad not. only permits the springs to be rcompressed to very near their limit without danger of the springs going solid, but

fore` they have gone solid either by the pads or bythe ai'iiiliar'y stops.

Itpuis to be iinderst'ood that variations and modifications of the specic devices herein shown and described `for purposes of illustration, may I'nad Without departing from the spirit 0f the invention. Y

what I claim is:

`1. In a truck, the combination with the side frames having top and bottom'chordsand spaced columns connecting the ,chords and providing openings in the frames, of na transom having end portions engaging said columns and guided for vertical movement between said columns, said end DObrtvions projecting downwardly from the body of the transom, andvg'uiding and positioning members secured in adjusted positions to the lower ends' of the projecting portions, said positioning members having lsliding engagement with the Side'fr'anies'.

2. In a' truck, the combination with the side frames having top and bottom chords, yand spaced columns connecting the chords and providing openings in' the frames, of a transom compris spaced cross beams, cross members connectingI the' ends of said beams, and arms depending fromthe ends of said cross members, said cross said oolr'n'ns, and a guiding and positioning member bridging the sp'ac'e between the lower ends of the arms at each end of the transom, each lpositioning member being secured adjii'st'ed position to s aid arms, and being engagealole with the side frame in which it is mounted, to position the side frame with respect to the transom.. *y l l 3. A car truck'having a side frame provided with top and bottom clior'ds, and spaced g'uide ooiuinris connecting said chords and providing a central opening, the portion of the bottom chord beneath Said opening being` in the fori'iiv of an upwardly opening channel, a transom having an end portion slidably mounted in said opening, said end portion having a positioning member at the bottom thereof whichhas spring seats at its ends', and a depressed portion between said seats adapted to enter the channel `of the bottom chord, supporting springs mounted in said channel and engaging said seats, and stop members carried by',v said positioning member and bottom chord, to limit the downward movement ofthe transom.

'asias-fie 4. A car truck having a side frame provided with top and bottom chords, and spaced giide col-nmns connecting said chords and providing a central opening, the portion of the bottoni chord beneath said opening being in thel form of an upwardly opening channel, a transom having` an end portion slidably mounted in said opening, said end portion having a positioning member at theA bottom thereof which has spring seats at its ends, and a depressed portion between said seats adapted to enter the channel of the bottom chord, supporting springs mounted in said channel and engaging said seats, a cross web carried by the bottom chord beneath said depressed portion ofl the positioning member, a cushioning' pad carried by said web, and side flanges on said p ositioning' member overlying the flanges of the bottorn chord, said side ange's being spaced above the bottom of the depressed portion a distance less than that between the top surface of the web and the' top edges of the chord flanges, nbut greater than the distance between the top face of the pad and the top edges of the chord flanges.

5. A` car truck having" a side frame provided with top' and bottom chords, `and spaced guide columns connecting said' chords, a transom coinprising spaced parallel cross beams, an integral cross member connecting said beams at each end, and integral arms depending from Vopposite ends of the oross'me'rnbei", integral guide members carried by the transom ends adjacent the top' thereof and s't'raddling portions of said coln'ris, and a guiding and positioning member secl'lred in adjusted position to they lower ends of said arms', and engageable with 'the side frames, to hold the same against rocking movements with respect t the transom.

6. A car truck transom having a body portion in the form' of a one piece casting that comprises a pair ofl spaced cross beams, an integral cross nenber connecting said beams at the ends thereof and parallel integral arms depending from opposite ends of each cross member, and a guiding and positioning iember abutting the lowerl ends of the two delending` ar'rns at each end of said transom, each guiding member' loe'ing secured to said arms in an adjusted position to compensate for distortion of the casting. 

